Dear Favorite,

First and foremost, It absolutely has been an amazing, wonderful, adventurous, and memorable 10 years! In the military and just around group talks I hear people joke "I've been married 10 years but it feels like 100!". Or when we are training on resilience last week and the group is asked "what are some stressors in your life" and someone shouts out "MARRIAGE!" and a majority laughs and nods in agreement. They then ask "what's the solution to those stressors" and wise guy shouts back again "DIVORCE!"... I never understood that. Maybe you are just that much better than all the other wives out there or we just click better than most, but whatever the reason, I have found that our life together has been enjoyable. I don't think 'enjoyable' is probably even the right word; our life has been the fulfillment of all that I am and do and want to be and aspire to. I don't think I exaggerate to say our life is the purpose of MY life. It just doesn't make sense to joke about something that is part of me.

President Hinkley, after the passing away of Marjorie Hinkley, said that in their old age, Sister Hinkley had become more the girl of his dreams than the day that he met her. When I heard that it sounded cute and all but I didn't understand it. Nevertheless I continued to remember that and it seemed to make an impression on me. How can you get better than that magical time filled with flirting and dating and butterflies and gifts and surprises and sleepless nights dreaming of that new special love ever be topped? How can one improve from that moment of youthful love - the girl of your dreams? It seems that you peak out on love right about the moment you get married...at least I suppose that's how all the guys joking in our MRT class feel about it. In the past 10 years I have slowly come to realize what the Hinkley's had. Four kids, 5 moves (4 locations), 3 degrees, military, and deployment later we have shared a lot. And we made the choice to do it together - as one. I still can't pinpoint exactly what has made all the difference or why it has worked for us so well but I know it has. I'm sure there are many factors involved but one critical factor I'm certain of is the role of the gospel in our lives. Certainly the gospel has tied us together and aimed us at the same target. It's really hard to be divided if your both trying to hit the same thing - right? It's like going through a doorway at the same time: you either have to go through separately or get really really close. But in our case the target is so small that really really close isn't enough. The gospel target of perfection requires us to become one; not physically (though we can get close to it;) but spiritually one. I think we are spiritually one when one puts the needs of the other before their own and lives the commandments. On this deployment I have felt the hollowness of more than your physical absence, but your love that you invest in me that gives substance to my being. I don't know, maybe I'm being a little deep but you get what I mean, right?

Long story short, happy marriages must contain:
1. Selection of a partner that most nears the pinnacle of perfection and then come to the alter of the temple with the realization that they must work hard towards the successful joint living.
2. Great unselfishness directing all to the good of the family subjugating self.
3. Continued courtship and expressions of affection, kindness, and consideration to keep the love alive and growing.
4. Complete living of the commandments of the Lord.

I look forward to putting these ingredients together with you in our family recipe for years to come. We have journeyed well together thus far, lets keep up the journey!

Love,

Justice